Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Woman in Black Review

Rated PG-13 (Thematic Material and Violence/Disturbing Images)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 35 Minutes

Cast-
Daniel Radcliffe-Arthur Kipps
Ciarán Hinds-Sam Daily
Janet McTeer-Elizabeth Daily
Roger Allam-Mr. Bentley
Liz White-The Woman in Black
Sophie Stuckey-Stella Kipps
Misha Handley-Joseph Kipps
Jessica Raine-Joseph’s Nanny

Directed by James Watkins

Looks like we're not in Hogwarts anymore...
The “Harry Potter” films have earned a gargantuan $7.7 billion at the worldwide box office (more than we normal folk will ever make in a lifetime so keep dreaming) but now that it’s all over, what’s next for the three stars who has spent the last ten years bringing our favorite fantasy characters to life? Rupert Grint has a number of projects lined up but for now he’s content with being the proud owner of an ice cream truck while Emma Watson is currently studying abroad at Oxford University before returning to Brown for her final year. She is set to appear in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” this year, based upon the 1999 novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky. Mr. Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, is already a Broadway star with Equus and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying but his first film role after “Harry Potter” is “The Woman in Black,” based upon Susan Hill’s 1983 novel of the same name. Hill’s novel was previously adapted into a stage play by Stephen Mallatratt in 1987 (which continues to run to this day) and a television film in 1989. “The Woman in Black” is an old-fashioned ghost story that Hollywood rarely makes anymore and while the film may not do anything wholly original, it manages to provide a spooky enough atmosphere thanks to its impeccable production design. 

Taking place during the early 1900’s in London and the surrounding countryside, young solicitor Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) prepares to set out for the small town of Crythin Gifford to settle the large estate of the recently deceased Alice Drablow, who lived in Eel Marsh House in northeastern England. Kipps has a four-year-old son named Joseph (Misha Handley) but his wife Stella (Sophie Stuckey) passed away during childbirth. During the train ride to Crythin Gifford, Kipps meets a wealthy landowner named Sam Daily (Ciarán Hinds), who easily deduces that he was sent from London to sell Eel Marsh House. As it is raining heavily, Sam offers to drive Kipps to the local village inn and invites him to his home for dinner with his wife Elizabeth (Janet McTeer) the next evening. Kipps is greeted with a chilly reception by the innkeeper, who reveals that all the rooms have been booked and that he should go back where he came from. The innkeeper’s wife convinces her husband to let Kipps stay for one night up in the attic. The townspeople regard Kipps with cold suspicion but he dutifully sets out in the morning to Eel Marsh House to begin his paperwork. However, he is interrupted by strange noises coming from the upstairs bedroom and goes to investigate. Kipps finds only a crow’s nest but when he looks out the window, he sees a veiled woman dressed in black standing alone in the garden. A series of terrifying events begin to occur but despite the objections of the townspeople, Kipps sets out to learn the truth about the mysterious woman in black. 

Although the presence of Daniel Radcliffe makes marketing “The Woman in Black” easier toward general audiences, the plot is rather thin as much of the film is simply a series of extended scare sequences. Contrasting with Hollywood’s more flashy efforts, director James Watkins opts for a traditional approach by utilizing light and shadow in order to maximize the suspense and frightening atmosphere. This is highly effective thanks to Tim Maurice-Jones’ immaculate production design. Eel Marsh House is as much a character as Arthur Kipps with its candle-lit decaying walls and dark corners that suggest something is watching us. Even the most mundane items such as a porcelain doll or a windup toy seem terrifying and add to the creepy ambiance of every scene thanks to Watkins’ creative camera angles and lighting. However, the film relies on jump scares a little too much and is at its most spooky when it builds up toward it while you squirm in your seat waiting for it to be over. The eponymous ‘woman’ herself is also smartly utilized sparingly but her presence is felt in every scene even if only glimpses are afforded to her. Despite the flimsy story from Jane Goldman, the writing is generally solid and the characters are given enough depth to allow you to care about them. The ending is also not as dark as I had expected and is oddly bittersweet for a horror film. “The Woman in Black” may eschew originality for tried-and-true ghost story tropes but what it does, it does very well. 

While the film relies more on its atmosphere and set design, the cast give solid performances. In his first role after Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe remains mournful and stoic but he reacts convincingly to all the supernatural occurrences that happen around him. However, the character of Arthur Kipps was written as older and some of the scenes with his son feel awkward considering that Radcliffe is no older than me. The ever reliable Ciarán Hinds is also on-hand as a father dealing with the loss of his son but for much of its ninety-five minute running time, its Radcliffe’s show with Hinds relegated to sidekick. 

“The Woman in Black” was released on February 3, 2012 to mildly positive reviews with 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics found it ‘traditional to a fault, [the film] foregoes gore for chills—although it may not provide enough of them for viewers attuned to more modern, high-stakes horror.’ The production budget was a low $17 million and it has already grossed an impressive $46 million domestic thanks to Radcliffe’s casting. While I did jump out of my seat a few times, I wouldn’t call the film particularly scary but I observed two young women sitting next to me constantly covering their eyes every time Marco Beltrami’s gothic and ominous score plays and Radcliffe starts to slowly creep around the house. Those weaned on blood and gore will find “The Woman in Black” boring but for people who can appreciate an old-fashioned ghost story, there’s much to like in James Watkins’ adaptation even if originality is nowhere to be found.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5

“I will never forgive...I will never forgive...”